Beware the Scams! - by Carla Base
I got a strange piece of mail yesterday. I have a friend with an unusual
first name. Only on one single occasion did I have this friend assist me in
calling our local phone company. I was having computer issues and he speaks the
language. He explained he was (his first name) and my last name. Only at this
single occasion was this ever used together, both being unusual names.
I got the letter stating that
(combo-name) in Spain had died and he was the lawyer to fork over millions of dollars. Beware of these scams.
They seem to be legitimate and lure people with greed first. Then they hook
them into an agreement which sounds possible. Pretty soon you are paying just a
little bit of money to get a LOT of money so they claim. Then it will be a very
intricate hoax. Sometimes it is a very elaborate way to even kidnap victims
from our country from another. Never believe such trash. Send it to the
authorities to stop it in its tracks. For every one that is thrown out, another
is opened with great hopes and naiveté .
Older people or younger
inexperienced people who may be desperate for something good to happen most
often are the victims, sadly, the most vulnerable groups who need help the most.
Try to be an ambassador to tell others if you ever experience such a scam and
spread the word never to give into them. Explain that they suck you in first
with greed and move into a tiny bit of risk that looks reasonable, then
sometimes even uses guilt or shame to keep the scam quiet when the victim
realizes he or she has been duped big time! Always come forward if you are
victimized, but don't fall for anything in the mail or on the telephone or
internet. If you think there really is some legitimacy, have others involved
who can appraise the situation more clearly; your lawyer, a professional
relative who can check out facts for you or through the police or FBI fraud
units. Remember that there are phone numbers people will have you call that can
cost you a lot of money per minute. Do not call them. It can be a disaster
financially for you!
Never give out bank information
or social security information too easily. Know your banker and go into the
bank or call him at the public number. Many ask your social security number,
but most should not have it. Tell them it is against your security policy. Look
into some of the ways to protect your Identity. Even children's Social Security
Numbers and those of dead family members can be used by criminals. Safe guard
this information and shred all documents and paperwork to do with your own
business or work. It is amazing how they can piece together information from a
scrap or two of paper and place a couple names together. Be looking for the next scam!